Washington -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Melody Barnes , the domestic policy adviser to President Barack Obama , will leave the White House at the end of the year , she said Thursday .

`` I plan to take some time off and enjoy my family , '' she said in a written statement . `` I 'll also be considering opportunities in the private sector , as well as ways to continue to work on the policy issues about which I care so deeply . ''

Obama , in a separate statement said he `` will always be grateful that a woman of Melody 's brilliance , creativity and heart led our domestic policy team during such a challenging time for our nation . ''

He said Barnes will leave `` a lasting legacy , developing and implementing policies that have helped remake our education system , spurred innovation , and fostered opportunity and equality for millions of Americans . ''

Barnes , in her statement , said she has `` enjoyed working closely with the private sector , as well as philanthropists and non-profit organizations , to build public-private partnerships that are providing solutions to our country 's biggest challenges . ''

She said that over the past few months she had `` reached the conclusion that I need to move out of a 24/7 work schedule and on to the next phase of my life . '' But she added , `` I also look forward to devoting time to doing everything I can to ensure that President Obama is re-elected . ''

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Melody Barnes says she will leave the White House at the end of the year

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Obama cites Barnes ' contributions to education reform and innovation

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Barnes says she needs `` to move out of a 24/7 work schedule , ''